Wheeled sounding toy



May 11. 1965 M. l. GLAss ETAL WHEELED SOUNDING TOY 4 sheets-sheet '1 Filed May 24. 1961 www JL Mmm.

May l1, 1965 M. l. GLASS ETAL WHEELED SOUNDING TY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24. 1961 r www.

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I I NNN NWN NNN May l1, 1965 M. l. GLASS ETAL WHEELED SOUNDING' TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 24, 1961 mmwm May 11., 1965- M. l. GLASS ETAL 3,182,421

WHEELED SOUNDING TOY Filed May 24. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .279.4- v .Z/g. i

United States Patent O 3,1S2,421 WHEELED SGUNDING TGY Marvin I. Glass, 57 E. Ohio St., Chicago, Ill., and Guitars Licitis, Chicago, Ill.; said Licitis assignor to said Glass Filed May 24, 19231, Ser. No., 112,379 11 Claims. (Cl. 45-17) by either a sporadic or continuous backring activity.

Consequently children have come to consider `such automobiles, and the activities `associated with them, very :amusing and entertaining.V Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the `invention is the provision of a toy vehicle, preferably a vehicle simulating an early-model automobile, which vehicle tails-apart and/or breaks-down when operated. Another important object of the invention is the incorporation in `such a vehicle of ta simulated backring feature. In general, the overall object of the invention is the provision of a novel toy vehicle which is operable to provide one or more entertaining activities.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a toy vehicle which is selectively operable to permit or prevent falling-apart and/ or breaking-down, the provision of toy vehicle in which certain of the wheels are collapsible under the vehicle to simulate break-down of the vehicle, and the provision of a toy vehicle which includes means for halting operation of the vehicle when the vehicle breaks-down.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the followingr description and the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention in which:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary elevational view, partially broken away and in section, of a toy vehicle in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, partially broken away, showing various components of the 'operating mechanism included in the -vehicle illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing other components of the operating mechanism;

FIGURE 4 is a front View of the vehicle when in operative condition;

FIGURE 5 is a front View, similar to FIGURE 4, after the vehicle has fallen-apart and broken-down.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective View of one of the headlights which are ejectable from the vehicle;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is a broken-away perspective view of a portion of the operating mechanism adjacent the radiator of the vehicle;

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged elevational view, partially in section, of the front part of the vehicle, the view being taken from the rear;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line 12--12 of FIGURE l0;

f RISZAZ ce Federated May Il, 1955 FIGURE 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the programmer incorporated in the operating mechanism embodied in the vehicle;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the brake means embodied in the operating mechanism in the vehicle; and

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 15-15 of FIGURE 3, showing the mechanism for latching the motor hood in assembled relation to the frame of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGURE l, a toy vehicle in :accordance with the invention includes a frame 21 and a plurality of wheels, including a front pair of wheels 23 and a rear pair of wheels 25, which wheels support the frame and are driven to propel the vehicle along a supporting surface, such as a floor, by a suitable power source or motor 27. At least one -of the wheels is arranged so as to be movable from an operative frame-supporting position, as seen in FIGURE 4, to an inoperative or collapsed position, as seen in FIGURE 5.

In the disclosed embodiment, `the ifront wheels 23 are movable between operative and inoperative positions and, when in their inoperative positions, are located in collapsed condition under the vehicle. Movement of the wheels to their collapsed or inoperative position occurs as a result of operation of the motor 27 which drives the vehicle. Also incorporated in the disclosed vehicle are a series of detachable components or elements, such as a pair of doors 29, a pair of fenders 31 (see FIGURES 2, 3, and 4), a motor hood 33 (see FIGURE l), and a pair 'of headlights 35 (see FIGURES 2, 3, and 4), all of which sequentially fall from, orare ejected from, the frame as the vehicle moves along the supporting surface, ie., prior to collapse of the front wheels 23 under the vehicle.

In addition, the toy vehicle also incorporates sound means 37 (see FIGURES l, 2, and 3) which operates to produce a back-firing report during movement of the vehicle. Means 38 (see FIGURE 8) is also provided for deactivating the mechanism which causes separation of the detachable elements from the frame and collapse of the front wheels, thereby allowing the vehicle to be operated along the o-or without eliecting separation of the detachable elements from the frame or collapse of the front wheels under the vehicle.

Considering the structure in greater detail, the vehicle is designed to resemble a Model-T Ford, although the exterior appearance can be designed as desired. Structurally, the frame 21 includes a floor board 39 (see FIG- URE 1) to which-is xed a body having a roof 45 (see FIGURES 4 and 5), window openings 47, and door openings 49 (see FIGURE l). If desired the interior of the vehicle can be provided with simulated seats 51 which conceal various components of the interior mechanism. Also included as parts of the frame 21 are a radiator 53, a motor block 55, and front and rear Wheel suspension units 57 and 59 respectively.

The wheels which support and propel the vehicle are designed in keeping with the exterior appearance of the remainder of the vehicle, and all include a series of radial spokes 61 supporting a simulated tire 63. The rear wheels 2S are carried on an axle 65 supported by the rear wheel suspension unit 59 and are driven, as seen best in FIGURE l, through a transmission 67 and drive shaft 69 by the motor 27.

As seen best in FIGURE l0, each of the front wheels 23 is rotatably mounted on a stud 7l extending from one of a pair of blocks 73 which are pivotally attached to the outer ends of the front-wheel suspension unit 57. More specifically, the pivot blocks 73 are mounted for rotation about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis 74 to permit swinging of the front wheels 23 from their operative positions to their inoperative positions in collapsed condition under the vehicle. As will be further mentioned, the pivot blocks 73 are biased toward their inoperative positions by suitable means in the form of springs 75, but are normally retained, against the action of the springs, to locate the front wheels in their vehicle supporting, operative positions by lsuitable means still to be described.

The motor 27 constitutes means for receiving and releasably storing energy and is connected to the -rear wheels 25 and to the sound producing means 37 so as to propel the vehicle and to provide a succession of simulated back-firing` reports in response to release of energy from the motor. Although various types of motors can be used, in the disclosed construction, the energy receiving and storing means is a helical power spring 77 (see FIGURES 1, 2, and 6).

Energy is supplied to the power spring '77 by a crank 79 which hangs externally on the frame and suggests the familiar crank employed to start early-model autos. Release of energy from the power spring 77 is controlled by a programming means 81 which also serves to sequentially control the separation of the various detachable elements and the positioning of the front wheels 23 from their operative to their inoperative positions.

The helical power spring 77 is housed inan elongated recess 83 (see FIGURES l and 6) in the floor` board 39 and is disposed around an elongated shaft 85. At its forward end, the power spring 77 is anchored, as seen in FIGURE 2, in a slot in the forward end of the shaft 85. At its rearward end, the power spring 77 is anchored, as seen best in FIGURE 6, in a hole in the recess wall so that clockwise rotation of the power spring shaft, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, serves to store energyv in the power spring.

At its forward end, the power-spring shaft 85 is shaped to receive the crank 79 while preventing relative slippage therebetween when the-crank is rotated to store energy in the power spring.` At its rearward end, the power-spring shaft S enters a gear box 839 (see FIG- URE 1) on the door board 39 and has mounted thereon a first gear 91. Engaged by the rst gear 91 within the gear box 89 is a second gear 93 which forms a part of the before mentioned programming means 81. Also located in parallel, rearwardly spaced adjacent relation to the first gear 91, within the gear box 89, is a third gear 95 mounted on a stub shaft 97 which extends through the lower rear wall 99 of the gear box 39 and is connected by a suitable coupling 101 to the drive shaft 69 to effect rotation of the rear drive wheels and consequent movement of the vehicle along the supporting surface. The third gear 95 is also connected to a gear train 163 which serves both to operate the sound producing'means 37 and to cooperate with the programming means 81 in governing release of energy from the power spring 77.

The third gear 95 is driven by the first gear 91 through a one way clutch 1115 including a clutch plate 107 which, in the disclosed construction, is attached to the first gear 91 and is disposed between the first gear 91 and the third gear 95. The clutch plate 197 is fabricated so as to slip relative to the third gear 95 when the first gear 91 rotates clockwise, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, when energy is being supplied to the power spring 77. However, when energy is released from the power spring 77, the first gear 91 rotatesin the counterclockwisefdirection and the third gear 95 is driven through the clutch plate 1417 so as to operate the vehicle.

As indicated above, when the third gear 95 is driven by the clutch plate 107, the gear train 103 and sound producing means 37 are also driven. In this regard, the third gear 95 is meshed within the gear box 89 with a fourth gear 109 which is mounted on the forward end of a longitudinally extending shaft 111 in rearwardly spaced, generally parallel relation to the second gear 93.

The shaft 111 is journalled in and extends through the upper rear wall 113 of the gear box, also being journalled in a rearwardly located bracket 115 on the door board 39. At its rearward end, the shaft includes a cam 117 which is part of the sound producing means 37. Rearwardly of the upper rear wall of the gear box 89, the shaft 111 supports a crown gear 119 which extends through `a slot in an intermediate horizontal wall 121 of the gear box 89. Meshed with the crown gear 119 is the pinion part of a gear and a pinion assembly-123 mounted on a shaft fixed for rotation in the wall 121 and in the upper gear box wall 125. Meshed with the gear'part of the gear and pinion-assernbly 123 is a pinion 127 mounted on a shaft 129 which Ais fixed for rotation in the wall 121 and in the upper wall 125 of the gear box. The shaft 129 extends `through the upper wall 125 and has attached thereto, for rotation with the pinion 127, a relatively `largefly wheel 131 which incorporates a series of radial spokes 133 v(see FIGURE 3).

Release of energy from the power spring 77 vis controlled by a brake means 135 (see FIGURES 1 and 14) which is arranged for engagement with the fly wheel 131 to either permit or prevent rotation of the fly wheel. In turn, the brake means 135 is controlled by the before mentioned programming means 31.

The ybrake means 135, as seen best in FIGURE 14, includes a longitudinally extending spring blade or member 137V which is secured at one end to the gear box S9 and includes at its other end an upwardly projecting part 139 which is movable to, and is biased toward, a y wheelengaging brake position. More specifically, when in the brake position, the upwardlyl projecting part 139 is engageable with any one of the spokes 133 of the'y wheel 131 to prevent its rotation.

The brake blade 137 is movable from its brake position to an energy-release position disengaged from the ily wheel 131 by a cam 143. carried on a transversely extending shaft which is journalled by the gear box S9. More particularly, .the cam 143 is eccentrically shaped relative to the shaft 145 and includes a at portion 147 which facially engages the brake blade 137 when the cornponents are in the brake position. However, when the brake shaft 145 is rotated by the programming means, as will be described, in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 14, the brake blade 137 is depressed from its brake position by engagementtherewith of the edge 149 defining one boundary of the dat portion 147 of the cam 143. Unintentional dislocationof the brake means from its energy-release position is prevented by forming a slight V-shaped depression 151. in the brake blade to receive the before mentioned edge 149 of the cam.

In order to provideV fory rotation of the brake shaft 145 by the programming means, 81, the brake shaft includes a dog 153 having a pair of angularly spaced ears 155 and 157 which areengageable by the programming means 81 to shift the shaft 145 between its brake Vand energyrelease positions, .thereby-controlling operation of the vehicle by the power spring 77.

As noted before, the programming means 31 serves to control the sequential separation fronrthe frame 21of ,the various detachable elements and also operates to control release of energy from the power spring 77. In this regard, the programming means includes the before mentroned second gear 93 (see FIGURE 1) which is located in the gear box 89 in meshing relation to the first gear 91 driven by the power spring. The second `gear 93 is mounted at the. rearward end of a programming shaft 159 disposed above the licor board 39 in generally parallel relation to the power spring shaft 85.` Asshown best in FIGURE 1, the programming shaft 159 is journalled at its rearward end in the forward wall 161 of the gear box and, at its forward end, is journalled in 1an upstanding bracket 163 extending from the floor board 39. AFixed centrally on the programming shaft `159 is a worm 165 which is meshed with a rack 167 (see FIGURES 2 and 6).

to cause forward and rearward movement of a programming assembly 169.

The programming assembly 169 includes the before mentioned rack 167 which is fixed to a slide 171, and a programmer 173 which is seen best in FIGURE 13 and is connected to the slide 171 for lengthwise movement therewith. |The assembly of the programmer 173 to the slide 171 however, permits relative vertical movement therebetween, which, as will be explained, permits the programmer 173 to ride over certain projections (still to be described) during its rearward movement. In addition, vertical movement of the programmer 173 relative to the slide 171 can be utilized, as will also be explained, to prevent sequential separation of the various detachable elements and collapse of the front wheels during forward travel of the vehicle.

The slide 171 is disposed for movement longitudinally of the floor board 39 in a guideway 175 (see FIGURE 6) formed by a pair of spaced guide members 177 fixed to the floor board 39, and is generally of inverted U-shape, having a pair of spaced side segments 179 and several longitudinally spaced arch segments 181 interconnecting the side segments.

The programmer 173, as seen best in FIGURE 13, is an elongated member which has a rearward, open rectangular box part 133 which surrounds the gear box 89 (see FIGURE 3), and a pair of transversely spaced elements 185 (see FIGURE 13) which extend forwardly of the box part 183 and are interconnected by a series of arches 137 spaced to correspond with the spacing of the arched slide segments 131. The programmer 173 is connected to the slide 171, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 6, by a series of studs 139 which project upwardly from the arched slide segments 181 and extend through mating holes in the corresponding arches 187 of the programmer 173. The programmer is retained in assembled relation to the slide by suitable clips or fasteners 131 which are secured to the upper part of the studs 18S. In addition, the programmer 173 is biased toward the slide 171 by a series of compression springs 193 which are disposed about the studs 189 and are retained in position by the fasteners 191.

As seen best in FIGURES 6 and 13 the forwardly extending elements of the programmer 173 each include an upper horizontal member 195 connected to the arches 137, a vertical member 197, and a lower horizontal member 199 which in generally slidable along the top of the floor board 39. At their forward ends, the upper horizontal members 195 each include an extension 201 (see FIGURE 13) which functions to cause separation of the headlights from the frame 21, as will be more fully described. Also located at the forward end of the programmer 173 on the upper horizontal members 195, are a pair of pivotally mounted pawls 203 which function to cause movement of the front wheels 23 to their collapsed positions. The forward edges 265 of the vertical members 197 operate as will be explained, to cause ejection of the motor hood 33 (see FIGURE l) from the frame 21, as will be more fully described.

The rearward box part 183 of the programmer includes, on each side, two outwardly projecting triangularly-shaped lugs 207 and 209 (see FIGURE 13) which are spaced lengthwise of the floor board and cause separation of the doors 29 and fenders 31 from the frame 21 during forward movement of the programmer 173. In addition, the box part 133 includes two longitudinally spaced, inwardly projecting tabs 211 and 213 which are engageable with the brake means 135 to control release of energy from the power spring 77.

More particularly in this regard, when the power spring shaft 85 is rotated clockwise as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, to store energy in the power spring 77, the meshing engagement of the first gear 91 with the second gear 93 (see FIGURE 1), together with the interaction of the worm 165 with the rack 167 (see FIGURE 2), results in rearward movement of the programmer 173. As the programmer approaches its rearwardmost position, the forwardmost inwardly projecting tab 211 on the box part 183 of the programmer 173 engages the ear 155 (see FIGURES 14 and 1) of the brake shaft 145 to rock the l brake shaft in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 14, through an angle of about degrees,

thereby rotating the brake shaft from its brake posi-y tion to its energy-release position.

When the brake shaft 145 is rocked to its energyrelease position incident to movement of the programmer 17.3 to its rearwardmost position, the y wheel 131 is disengaged by the brake blade part 139, thereby permitting the power spring 77 to rotate the power spring shaft 85 in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, which rotation of the power spring reverses the direction of movement of the programmer 173, driving the programmer forwardly. During this forward movement of the programmer 173, the vaious detachable elements, i.e., the doors 29, fenders 31, motor hood 33, and headlights 35 are sequentially separated from the frame. When the programmer 173 approaches its forwardmost position, seen in FIGURE 3, the before mentioned pawls 263 operate to cause collapse of the front wheels 23. At the same time, the rearwardmost inwardly projecting tab 213 engages the ear on the brake shaft 145, thereby rocking the brake shaft to the brake position so as to prevent further release of energy, consequently discontinuing travel of the vehicle.

Considering now the various elements which are sequentially detachable from the frame 21 of the vehicle, each door 29 is adapted, as seen best in FIGURE 3, to t within one of the door openings 49 and is held by a releasable latch means 223. More particularly, each latch means includes an inwardly projecting hook 225 which extends from the door 29 and is engageable by a cooperating bolt element or arm 227. The arm is carried at the outer end of a transversely extending rock shaft 229 which is mounted in a support block 231 projecting upwardly from the oor board 39. Retention of the bolt element in latching engagement with the hook 225 is provided by biasing means which, in the disclosed construction, is a spring 233 (see FIGURE 2) disposed about the rock Shaft 229. Suitable means, not shown, prevents overtravel of the rock shaft beyond its door-latching position.

Carried on the inner end of the rock shaft 229 is an arm 235 having a projection 237 at its lower end, which projection extends into the pathof travel of one of the rearwardmost lugs 209 extending from the box part 183 of the programmer 173. During forward movement of the programmer, the lug 269 engages the projection 237 to pivot the rock shaft 229 in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 1, against the action of the biasing spring 233, thereby unlatching the door and permitting the door to fall from the frame 21 as the vehicle is driven along the supporting surface by the power spring 77. During rearward movement of the programmer 173, the inclined lower surface of the triangularly-shaped lug 209 facilitates riding over the lug 269 past the projection 237 at the bottom of the arm 235.

Continued forward movement of the programmer 173 causes ejection of the fenders 31 from each side of the frame 21. More particularly, each of the fenders 31 in the disclosed construction is held to the frame 21 by releasable latch means 239 and includes, as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 3, both front and rear fenders together with an interconnecting running board. In this regard, each fender includes an inwardly directed horizontal part 241 which is adapted to rest on the licor board 39 and which incorporates a forwardly located hook 243 which is engaged by a bolt element 245 at the outer end of a latch member 247 which is horizontally pivotally mounted on the floor board 39. The latch member 247 is suitably biased for engagement of the bolt element 245 with the hook 243 of the fender 31 by a spring 249. At its inner end, the latch member 2.47 includes aprojection 251 which is engaged by the forwardmost lug 207 on the adjacent lside of the box part 183-of the programmer 173 to swing the latch member 247 from its hook-engaging posi tion, against the action of the biasing spring 249, in response to forward programmer movement. During rearward programmer movement, the inclined lower surface of the triangularly-shaped lug 207 facilitates riding over of the lug past the latch member.

In addition to the latch means 239, Ythe fenders 31 are retained in proper position on the frame 21 by engagement of a rearwardly located tab 253 extending from the horizontal part 2411 in a groove formed in a stud 255 projecting from the floor board 39. The fenders are ejected from the frame 21, when the latch members 247 are released from the hooks 243, by U-shaped leaf springs 257 which are retained by frictional engagement between a pair of longitudinally spaced lugs 259 'and adjacent upstanding ribs 261 on the floor board 39.

As the programmer 173 continues its forward movement, the motor hood 33 is then ejected from the frame 21. The motor hood is a U-shaped element which, when assembled to the frame 21, as shown in FIGURE 1, conceals the motor block 55 and occupies the area between the radiator 53 and the body 41 ot the vehicle. The motor hood 33 is retained in assembled relation to the frame, against the action of an ejecting spring 275, by releasable latch means 277 seen in FIGURES l and l5.

More particularly, the motor hood 33 includes a iixed downwardly extending rod 279 which is received in a o tube 281 mounted on the iloor board 39 adjacent its forward end so as to aid in properly locating the motor hood. Positioned within the tube 281 is the spring 275 which is compressed when the motor hood is latched in place, and which operates to eject the motor hood when the latch means is released.

The releasable latch means 277 includes a pair of projections 233 (see FIGURE l) at the lower forward part of the motor hood sides and cooperating hooks 285 which are individually carried on the outer end of a pair of transversely extending rock shafts 237 journalled on the under side of the oor board 39. The rock shafts 287 can be biased toward a limited locking position by suitable spring biasing means (not shown). Fixed on the inner end of cachot the rock shafts 237 is an arm 289 which projects through an aperture in the iloor board 39 and into the path of travel of the forward edge 235 (see F 1G- URE 13)v of one of the vertical members 197 of the programmer 173. Thus, as the programmer continues its forward advancement, the forward edges 2195 of the vertical members 197- engage the arms 239 to pivot the rock shafts 287 clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1, thereby unlatching the hooks-285 from the projections 283 and permitting ejectmentof the motor hood 33 from the frame 21 by the ejecting spring 275.

Immediately after ejection ofthe motor hood from the frame, continud forward movement of the programmer 173 results in dying-off of the headlights 35 from the radiator 53. Each headlight includes, as seen best in FIGURE 7, a hemispherical lamp 293 ixed at one end of an arm 295 which is slidable through a slot 297 (see FIGURES 9 and l0) in the side wall of the radiator 53 and into a supporting block 293. Releasable latch means 289 serves to prevent ejection of the headlights by ejecting means in the form of a spring 331.

In this last regard, the releasable latch means includesy a projection 3%3 on the rearward edge of each arm, which projection is engaged by a pivotally mounted latch member or operating lever 305 to prevent ejection of the headlights 35 by the ejection spring 301. Various spring arrangements can be used. However, in the disclosed construction, the ejecting spring 361 constitutes a U-shaped leafspring which is mounted on a hub 307 on the rear of the radiator 53 and includes a pair of legs 311, each of which engages the adjacent end of one of the headlight CTL tion under `the vehicle.

arms 295 to urge the headlights outwardly from the radiator.

The operating lever 365 which controls separation of the headlights 35 from the frame 21, includes Va centrally disposed vertical stem 313 mounted on a cross-shaft 315 pivotally supported by a pair ofi brackets 317 extending rearwardly from the radiator 53. The operating lever 335 also includes a pair of outwardly directed legs 319 which extend from the upper end of the stem 313 and are engageable with the projections 303 on the headlight arms 295 to prevent ejection of the headlights. Suitable means (not shown) can be employed to bias the operating lever 305 toward a limited, headlight-arm-engaging position. Also included as a part of the operating lever3tl5 is a cross-bar 321 connected to the lower end of the stem 313 in position for engagement by the forward extensions 261 on the upper horizontal members 195 (see FIGURE 13) of the programmer 173. In thisregard, as the programmer continues its forward movement, the operating lever 305 is caused to pivot clockwisek as` seen in FIG- URE 9, thereby effecting release of the engagement between the headlight arms 295 and the operating lever legs 319 to permit ejection of the headlights from the radiator 53 by the ejection spring 331.

As the forward movement lof the programmer 173 approaches its completion, the pawls 263 (see FIGURE 13) on the upper horizontal members 195 of the programmer cause collapse of the front wheels 23 from their operative positions to their collapsed positions under the vehicle'by action of the before mentioned springs 75. (SeeFIGURES l() and l2.)

More specically, the before mentioned pivot blocks 73 are located at the opposite ends of the front-wheel suspension units 57 and are each pivotally connected to an operating lever 325 so as to be rockable about their lengthwise horizontal axes '74 in response to laterally outward movement of the operating levers. Still more particularly, each of the operating levers 325 is bent to provide a lower leg 327 which is concealed by being partially housed in the front-wheel suspension unit, and an upper leg 329 which projects vertically through theifloor board 39 behind the radiator 53. The lowery legs 327 are each pivotally connected at their outer or lower ends to a stud 331 on one of the pivot blocks 73 and are urged laterally outwardly by the before mentioned springs 75 to thereby rock the front wheels 23 to their collapsed condi- Each of the springs 75 is connected between a pin 333 fixed adjacent one of the outer ends of the front-wheel suspension unit and a tab 335 adjacent the upper end of the lower leg 327 of the associated operating lever 325,.`

Retention of the front wheels 23 in their operative positions, against the action of the springs 75, is provided through releasable latch means 337 which, in the disclosed y construction, constitutes a pair of L-shaped openings in the oor board 39, which openings permit passage of the upper operating-lever legs 329 to their positions behind the radiator 53'. Each L-shaped opening includes a transversely extending slot 341 (see FIGURE 9) which connects at its inner end with a rearwardly extending longitudinal slot 343 deiined, in part, by an outer edge 345 which prevents wheel-collapsing,laterally outward movement of the associated operating lever 325.

When the upper legs 329 or the operating levers 325 are engaged by the outerr edges 345 of the longitudinal slots 343, the upper ends of these legs project into the path ot travel of the pawls 233 (see FGURE 13) carried by the upper horizontal members of the programmer 173. Thus, as the programmer approaches its forwardmost position, the pawls engage the upper legs of the operating levers 325 to displace the levers to the forward ends of the longitudinal slots 343. This operating lever movement disengages the levers from the restraining outer edges 3&5 of the longitudinal slots, thereby permitting laterally'outward movement of theoperating levers under 9 the influence of the springs 75, which laterally outward movement rocks the front wheels 23 to their inoperative collapsed positions.

The front wheel controlling arrangement is also designed to permit repositioning of the front wheels 23 in their operative positions when the programmer 173 is in its forwardmost position. In this regard, as seen best in FIGURE 13, each of the pawls 203 is mounted on a vertical stud 351 for pivotal movement toward one another against the action of a spring 353 which normally biases the pawls 203 in parallel relation to the direction of programmer movement. Thus, the front wheels 23 can be re-latched in their operative position, even when the programmer is in its forwardmost position, by rocking the front wheels to their upright positions, thereby moving the operating levers 325 inwardly toward each other in the transverse slots 341. As the operating levers approach the inner ends of the transverse slots, the sides of the outer ends of the pawls 203 are engaged to pivot the pawls inwardly toward each other against the action of the spring 353. When the operating levers reach the inner ends of the transverse slots 341, they are then displaced rearwardly into engagement with the restraining outer edges 345 of the longitudinal slots 343, thereby preventing upwanted collapse of the front wheels. In this regard, it is also noted that the relative location of the spring-holding pins 333 and the axis 74 about which the pivot blocks 73 are carried, is such that the springs 75 also serve to pivot the operating levers 325 about a Vertical axis so as to aid in retaining the front wheels 23 in their operative positions.

As mentioned before, the vehicle also includes means 38 for deactivating the sequential separation of the various detachable elements from the frame and for preventing collapse of the front wheels 23 as an incident to forward movement of the programmer. This means is best seen in FIGURES l, 3, and 8, and includes a pair of thin, elongated control blades or bars 371 which are located generally under the lugs 207 and 209 and under the horizontal lower members 199 of the programmer. The control bars 371 are connected to, and longitudinally shiftable by, a finger grip 373 located under the floor board 39 adjacent the rear of the vehicle in a generally concealed position. In addition, the oor board 39, together with .the control bars 371, includes means for raising the programmer 73 relative to the floor board 39 so that the programmer does not engage the various componentswhich serve to unlatch the doors 29, fenders 31, motor hood 33, and headlights 35, and to cause collapse of the front wheels 23.

More specifically, the floor board 39 includes several upwardly projecting gables 375 (see FIGURE 8) which underlie the control bars 371 arlawhich project into mating inverted V-shaped recesses 377 in the control bars when the control bars are positioned so as not to interfere with the sequential separation Iof the detachable components from the frame and the collapse of the front wheels. However, when the control bars are moved forwardly, the bars 371 ride upwardly on the gables 375, thereby lifting the programmer 173 out of position for engagement, during forward movement, of .the respective projections 237 and 251 of the door and fender latches, out of position for engagement of the arms 289 (see FIG- URE l) of the motor hood latch, out of position for engagement with the cross-bar 321 (see FIGURE l) of the headlight operating levers 305, and out of position for engagement with the upper ends of the front wheel operating levers 325. If desired, suitable means can be provided to latch the linger grip 373 in either or both of its positions.

The back-firing sound producing means 37, previously referred to, is supported by the floor board 39 rearwardly of the gear box 89 and includes, as seen best in FIGURES 2 and 3, a rigidly supported diaphragm 391 of metallic foil or other suitable material and a striker 393 in the form of a resilient blade which is anchored at one end to the tloor board, and has its other end disposed for action against the central area of .the diaphragm. The striker 393 is llexed to a tensioned condition in spaced relation from the diaphragm 391 by means of the cam 117 which is mounted on the end of the gear train shaft 111. In this connection, 4the end of the striker 393 includes :an upwardly curved bent portion 395 adapted to be engaged as the shaft 111 rotates in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, by a pin 397 extending from the cam 117. Thus, as the pin 397 rotates it will periodically engage the bent portion 395 to raise the striker 393 to a tensioned condition and will then release the striker to produce a loud back-tiring sound incident to impact against the diaphragm 391.

In operation, energy can be supplied to the power spring 77 by cranking the power-spring shaft 35 in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5. This rotation of the power-spring shaft S5 causes the power spring 77 to be wound up and also effects rearward positioning of the programmer 173 by virtue of the intermeshed relation of the first and second gears 91 and 93 (see FIGURE l) and the interaction of the worm 165 with the rack 167 (see FIGURES 2 and 6). Movement of the vehicle while energy is supplied to the power spring is avoided by reason of the one way clutch (see FIGURE l) which is located intermediately of the rst gear 91 and the third gear 95 and which slips incident to rotation of the power-spring shaft 85 in the clock.- wise direction as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5.

After a predetermined amount of energy is supplied to the power spring 77, the programmer 173 is moved sufficiently rearwardly so that the forwardrnost tab 211 engages the ear of the brake shaft 145 (see FIGURE 14) to rock the brake shaft in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 14, thereby causing disengagement of the upper part 139 of the brake blade 137 from the fly wheel 131. This disengagement, permits operation fof the gear .train 103 and consequently release of the energy from the power spring 77. During release of energy from the power spring, the power spring shaft 85 rotates counter-clockwise, as seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, thereby driving the rearward wheels 25 through the one way clutch 105, the third gear 95, and the drive shaft 69. At the same time, the gear train 193 is driven by the power spring 77 so that the cam element 117 at the end of the gear train shaft 111 periodically displaces the striker 393 from the diaphragm 391 and then releases the striker for action against the `diaphragm to produce a series of back-tiring reports.

During release of energy from the power spring 77, the programmer is driven forwardly, causing in sequence, unllatching of the doors 29 from the frame, ejection of the fenders 31 from the frame by the springs 2 l7, flying-ofi of :the .motor hood 33 from the frame by action of the spring 275, and ying-apart of `the headlights 35 from the radiator 53 by action of the spring 3111. As the programmer 173 approaches its forwardmost position, the pawls 233 displace the front wheel operating leve-rs 325 (see FIGURE l0) from the restraining edges 345 to permit movement of the front wheels 23 to their inoperative position in collapsed relation under the vehicle, by act-ion yof the springs 75. lAt the same time, the rearwardmost of the inwardly projecting tabs 21.3 engages the ear 15:5 of the dog 153 to rock the brake shaft 145 from its energyrelease position to it-s bra-ke position, thereby engaging the brake blade `137 with the fly wheel 131 so as to prevent further rel-ease of energy from the power spring. Halting of the release of energy from the power spring 77 operates, of course, to discontinue the operation of the back-fring sound producing means 37 and to discontinue further forward movement of the vehicle by the rear `drive wheels 215.

As explained previously, the front wheels 23 can be reestablished in their operative positions, prior to re-supplying energy to the power spring 77. The doors 29 Aand fenders 31 can be re-attached to the frame 21 at any time, while the motor hood 33 and headlights 35 can be reconnected to the frame Z1 after an initial rearward movement of the programmer 173. However, if desired, the construction can be such as to permit rte-attachment of the motor hood 3-3 and headlights 3S at any time.

if desired, the iin-ger grip 373 at the end of the floor board 39 Acan be utilized to locate the control bars 371 in their rearward positions so as to deactivate sequential separation of the `detachable elements from the frame 211 and to prevent collapse of the front Iwheels 23.

The disclosed toy vehicle incorporates a highly amusing activity by means of `the sequential falling-apart and breaking-down of the vehicle, together with the production of a back-firing sound. Moreover, the vehicle can also -be operated without utilizing the falling-apart and @breaking-down features. In addition, re-assembly of fthe vehicle' after falling-apart provides` educational as fwell as entertaining advantages, Thus, an extremely desirable toy vehicle is provided. i

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the lfollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy vehicle comprising a frame, a plurality of Wheels yfor supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said wheels bein-g positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position, a series of elements detachably carried by said frame, programming means on said frame for causing planned sequential dertachment of said elements from said body and movement of said one wheel from said operative position to said inoperative position, and energy storing means on said iframe connected to said wheels and to said programming means so that, incident to release of said energy, said wheels are rotated to propelsaid frame along the supportingsurface and said programming means causes detachment of said elements and movement of said one Wheel from said operative position to said inoperative position.

12. A toy vehicle comprising, a frame, a plurality of wheels for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said i Vwheels being positionable between an operative position yadapted for vehicle-supporting engagement With the sup- Iporting surface and an inoperative position, a series of elements detachably carried by said frame, sound producing means on said frame, programming means on said frame for causing planned sequential detachment o-f said elements from said body and movement of said one wheel from said operative position to said inoperative position, and energy storing means on said frame connected to said wheels, to said sound producing means, and to said programming means `so that, incident to release of energy, said wheels are rotated to propel said frame along the supporting surface, said sound producing means is actuated, and said programming means causes detachment of said elements and movement of said one wheel from said operative position to said inoperative position.

3. A toy vehicle comprising a frame, a plurality of Wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting Y said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said wheels being positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position, means on said frame for receiving and for releasably storing energy, said energy receiving and storing means being connected to said wheels for rotation thereof to propel said frame along the supporting surface -during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, and control means connected to said energy receiving and storing means for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of :a predetermined amount of venergy in said energy receiving and storing means and for halting the release of energy after release of a predetermined amount of energy 'from Said energy receiving and storing. means,'said control means also being connected to said one Wheelv to cause movement of said one wheel from said operative position to said inoperative. position when release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means is halted.

4. A toy vehicle comprising, a frame, a plurality of Wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, a series of elements detachably carriedy by 4said frame, said elements simulating parts of the vehicle body means on said frame for receiving and for releasably storing energy, said energy receiving and storing means being connected to said wheels for rotation thereof to propel said frame along the supporting surface during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, and programming means connected to said energy receiving and storing means for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of a predetermined amount of energy in said energy receiving and storing means and for halting the release of energy after release of a predetermined amount of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, said programming means also being operable to cause planned sequential detachment of said elements from said frame during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means.

5. A toy vehicle comprising a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one ofsaid wheelsbeing positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position, a seriesof elements detachably carried by said frame, means on said frame for receiving and for releasably storingenergy, said energy receiving and storing means being connected to ysaid wheels for rotation thereof to propel said frame along the supporting surface during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, and programming means connected to said venergy receiving and storing-means for effecting release for halting the release of energy after release of a predetermined amount of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, saidprogramming means also being operable to cause planned sequential detachment of said elements from said frame during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means and to cause said Vone Wheel to move from said operative position to said inoperative position when release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means is halted.

6. A toy vehicle comprising .a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said wheels being positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and a collapsedA position, means-on lsaid frame for receiving and for releasablystoring energy, saidenergy receiving and storing means being connected to said wheels so that during release of energy fromV said energy receiving and -storing means said wheels are rotated to propel said frame along the supporting surface, programming, means connected to said energy storing and` releasing means for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of a predetermined amount of Venergy insaid energy receiving and storing means and for haltingtherrelease of energy 'after release of a predetermined amount ofenergy from said energy` receiving and storing means', said programing and storing means is halted, and means selectively operable for partially deactivating said programming 13 means to prevent movement of said one wheel from said operative to said inoperative positions.

7. A toy vehicle comprising, a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said wheels being positionable between an loperative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position, a series of elements detachably carried by said frame, said elements simulating parts of the vehicle body means on said frame for receiving and for releasably storing energy, said energy receiving and storing means being connected to said Wheels for rotation thereof to propel said frame along the supporting surface during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, programming means connected to said energy receiving and storing means for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of a predetermined amount of energy in said energy receiving and storing means and for halting the release of energy after release of a predetermined amount of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, said programming means also being operable to cause planned sequential detachment of said elements from said frame during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means and to cause said one wheel to move from said operative position to said inoperative position when release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means is halted, and means selectively operable for partially deactivating said programming means to prevent sequential detachment of said elements from said frame during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means and to prevent movement of said one wheel from said operative position to said inoperative position when release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means is halted.

8. A toy Vehicle comprising, a frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, at least one of said wheels being positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position, a series of elements detachably carried by said frame, said elements simulating parts of the vehicle body, sound producing means on said frame for producing a simulated back-firing sound, means on said frame for receiving and for releasably storing energy, said energy receiving and storing means being connected to said Wheels and to said sound producing means so that during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means said wheels are rotated to propel said frame along the supporting surface and said sound producing means is operated to provide `a series of backiiring sounds, and programming means connected to said energy receiving and storing means for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of a predetermined amount of energy in said energy receiving and storing means and for halting the release of energy after release of a predetermined amount of energy from said energy receiving and storing means, said programming means also being -operable to cause planned sequential detachment of said elements from said frame during release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means and to cause said one wheel to move from said operative position to said inoperative position when release of energy from said energy receiving and storing means is halted.

9. A toy vehicle comprising a frame, a pair of doors adapted for attachment to said frame, means on said frame for releasably attaching said doors to said frame, a pair of fenders adapted for attachment to said frame, means on said frame for biasing said fenders from said frame, means for releasably attaching said fenders to said frame against the action of said fender biasing means, a motor hood adapted for attachment to said frame, means on said frame for biasing said motor hood from said frame, means for releasably attaching said motor hood to said frame against the action of said motor hood biasing means, a pair of headlights adapted for attachment to said frame, means on said frame for biasing said headlights from said frame, means for releasably attaching said 'headlights to said frame against the action of said headlight biasing means, a pair fof front and a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting said trame on a supporting surface, said front wheels being positionable between an operative position adapted for vehicle-supporting engagement with the supporting surface and an inoperative position disposed partially beneath said vehicle, sound producing means on said frame for producing a simulated back-tiring sound, a helical power spring on said frame for receiving and for releasably storing energy, a one way clutch connecting said power spring to said rear Wheels and to said sound producing means so that, when energy is being stored in said power spring, said vehicle and said sound producing means are inactive, and so that, during release of energy from said power spring, said rear wheels are rotated to propel said frame along the supporting surface and said sound producing means is operated to provid-e a series of back-ming sounds, a programmer connected to said power spring for effecting release of stored energy after receipt of a predetermined amount of energy in said power spring and for halting the release of energy after release of -a predetermined amount of energy from said power spring, said programmer also being operable to cause planned sequential detachment of said doors, fenders, motor hood, and headlights from said frame during release of energy from said power spring and to cause said front Wheels to move from said operative position to said inoperative position when release of energy from said power spring is halted, and means for partially deactivating said programmer to prevent sequential detachment of said doors, fenders, motor hood, and headlights from said frame during release of energy from said power spring and to prevent movement of said front wheels from said operative positions `to said inoperative positions when release of energy from said power spring is halted.

l0. A toy vehicle comprising a vehicular frame which carries a plur-ality of elements which simulate parts of the vehicle and which are detachably connected to said frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame on generally horizontal axes for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, power means for rotating said wheels to propel said frame .along a supporting surface, and programming means connected to said power means and to said detachable elements for automatically causing detachment of a portieri yof said detachable elements from said frame while said frame is being propelled and after a predetermined time period during which said frame remains in propelled motion for automatically causing detachment of other of said elements from said frame.

1l. A toy Vehicle comprising a vehicular frame which carries a plurality of elements that are detachably connected to said frame, a plurality of generally vertically disposed Wheels rotatably mounted on said frame on generally horizontal axes to rotate in generally vertical planes for supporting said frame and for propelling said frame along a supporting surface, power means for rotating said wheels to propel said frame, programming means connected to said power means and to said detachable elements for automatically causing detachment of a portion of said detachable elements from said frame while said frame is being propelled and after a predetermined time period during which said frame remains in propelled motion for automatically causing detachment of other of said elements from said frame, at least one of said wheels being positionable between the vertical operative position and a collapsed position, and means connecting said one wheel to said programming means for causing mov-ement of said one wheel from said operative to said collapsed position after the detachment of said other elements.

- 5 16 References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS UNTED STATES PATENTS 802,445 2/51 Germany.

2,279,386 4/42 Carver 124-29 X 2,634,546 4/53 Carver et aL 46 208 X RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Przmary Exammer.

2,885,823 5/59 smith 46- 107 '5 DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

2. A TOY VEHICLE COMPRISING, A FRAME, A PLURALITY OF WHEELS FOR SUPPORTING SAID FRAME AND FOR PROPELLING SAID FRAME ALONG A SUPPORTING SURFACE, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WHEELS BEING POSITIONABLE BETWEEN AN OPERATIVE POSITION ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE-SUPPORTING ENGAGMENT WITH THE SUPPORTING SURFACE AND AN INOPERATIVE POSITION, A SERIES OF ELEMENTS DETACHABLY CARRIED BY SAID FRAME, SOUND PRODUCING MEANS ON SAID FRAME, PROGRAMMING MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR CAUSING PLANNED SEQUENTIAL DETACHMENT OF SAID ELEMENTS FROM SAID BODY AND MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE WHEEL FROM SAID OPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND ENERGY STORING MEANS ON SAID FRAME CONNECTED TO SAID WHEELS, TO SAID SOUND PRODUCING MEANS, AND TO SAID PROGRAMMING MEANS SO THAT, INCIDENT TO RELEASE OF ENERGY, SAID WHEELS ARE ROTATED TO PROPEL SAID FRAME ALONG THE SUPPORTING SURFACE, SAID SOUND PRODUCING MEANS IS ACTUATED, AND SAID PROGRAMMING MEANS CAUSES DETACHMENT OF SAID ELEMENTS AND MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE WHEEL FROM SAID OPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION. 